East India CompanySavannah DeCarlo

The Beginning

It is said that the modern world was created or started by Elizabeth I granted a company of over 200 merchants a monopoly of trade to the east of Cape of Good Hope.

It was the first of companies to offer limited liability to its shareholders and also laid the foundation of the British empire.

What it did

The East India Company pioneered Asia, and brought trade to it.

The company made many advances in trade, and government.

The company became bigger than Britain itself, and power and greed led to the company to failure in the 1800’s.

Army

Yes, the East India Company controlled an army of over 200,000 men, this army was bigger then most European states.

No other state owner company has gone this far, except for CNOOC in China, but they only protect oil wells in Sudan.

At one point, 50% of the world trade was conducted by the merchant Navy.

Why India?

Indian textiles, spices, and goods were heavily demanded during this time from the 1600’s to the 1800’s.

Britain’s control over India gave them control over the products and monopolizing made the company very wealthy.

When

East India Company ruled over trade and most parts of India during the 1600s-1864.

The company ultimately failed due to poor leadership, and greed.

During this time, the company ruled most of India, had huge armies, and dominated trade.

Where

East India Company was a company in England, started in the 1600s, and started by Queen Elizabeth I.

The company ruled most of India, and was in charge of getting goods from India and trading them around the world.

Why

East India Company was created to increase trades of spices, and silks from India to Britain, and their exporting countries.

Without this company cities like Singapore and Hong Kong would not be established, as for many cities and routes.

Money & Meritocracy

The East India Company brought wealth to Britain, as it became a monopoly.

Victorian Era

In the Victorian Era, the company had become well established.

India was the place of families of wealth, well British families.

Unfortunately, because of greed, the families could no longer own land, and had to go in the army to make money.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Real

The company began to expand into the Caribbean when the company became aware of the rich plantations there. Piracy was one of the biggest problems, and in the 1720’s several ships were send to the Royal Navy to aid them.

Pirates

Pirates of the Caribbean

Movie

In the movie, Jack Sparrow often comes into contact with Cutler Beckett, who is the chairman of East India Trade Company, a representation of the East India Company. Cutler is a ruthless man who will do nothing but stop anybody in his way of money and success, including stopping pirates.

Jack Sparrow & James Norrington

Will history repeat?

To avoid this problem in the future, there have beens laws set in place such as not being able to have a monopoly!

Also, a company should NEVER be big enough to take over a country, or have an army.

Sources